What if the Bank is taken over by another

Clare11

We belonged to the Northern Bank ( northern ireland) for over 25 years and am pleased to say have left them ...sorry we didnt go sooner.

Please note "loyality means nothing to banks".

Example of penalty charges for writing a cheque when over bank limit.....
called a "referreal fee"...£11 per cheque!
An unpaid cheque.....fee £38....for each cheque.



When we left nearly 3 years ago they were owned by an Australian Bank and are now owned by a Danish Bank.


And I have kept ALL our bank statements dating back to 1991 although I know I can only claim for the last six years penalty charges.
Will the new owners (Danish Bank) ignore completely any claims as they were not the owners of the bank when we were Northern Bank customers at the time.

Your opinion please.

Kind regards
Clare

elliehenny777

Claire I'm with the Northern too, I'd also like to know the answer to your question. I'd have left years ago but my husband insisted on staying with them, we have a joint current account for DD's, SO's etc. I moved my personal accounts years ago.

Finally, after unbelieveably bad service since the Danish took over, husband has at last woken up and agreed to move the account. (we've been with them for 35 years) We sent a formal complaint and spoke to manager in bank.

I've successfully claimed misssold mortgage, got one of the highest payouts reported so far, so I'm ready to take on the Northern.
Good luck, do keep us informed if you can.
Ellie

Clare11

Hello Ellie.

You did well to get any money from the Northern! Actually at one time the Northern sold us a mortgage, had all our farm business insurances, life insurances etc. They had everything but our blood!! My husband foolishly believed that the Bank always acted in OUR interests!!!
Infact one of the bank managers quoted to us when we threatened to leave.." Always remember what side your bread is buttered on".
They made life very difficult for us ...upon reflection we should have reported them but who would have believed us and farming was going through a particuarly bad time. They really ripped us off with lots of penalty charges. I would love to "bleed" them the way they "bled" us over the years and made life so very stressful.
Thankfully all has changed and our moving to another Bank was the best thing ever.
But again no one has been able to answer my question........

Are the present day owners ( Danish Bank) of the Northern Bank obliged to take responsibility for the penalty charges we occured in the past when the Australian Bank were owners?

I would love to hear your opinions and would appreciate any advice

Kind regards
Clare

Rex_Mundi

I don't see the problem with the change of ownership. The bank you have dealt with all these years is still a registered business, and it is with this business (not the owners), that you have an issue with.

Start your claim against the bank as you would do with any bank. Just because the shareholders have changed doesn't mean they can deny all obligations. Your claim is against the company, not the shareholders.

All your letters up to the court stage should be addressed to the branch that you used for your banking (even if you don't have the account anymore). Send all your letters recorded/registered delivery so you have proof they received them.

When you issue the court papers . You have to issue them against the full company name, and registered address (only use this address for the court papers). I found this for you............

Northern Bank Limited
Registered office:
Donegall Square West
Belfast BT1 6JS

I shall add this registered address to the rest in the sticky at the top of the board.

Good luck, and don't worry. The whole process sounds more daunting than it is. You also have a lot of people here, and at CAG that can help you if you get stuck or are unsure at any stage.

Clare11

Thank you Rex .
I will give it a go.... I am feeling a bit shaky on the matter but what the heck...smiles.. Nothing ventured .....nothing gained.
So even though we have left them and ALL accounts are closed do we still go through the procedure with a £10 cheque requesting info about bank charges?
Or do I have to sieve through all our bank statements and record all those unnecessary bank penalties.
Plus.....
Since we left in May 2004 can we go back as far as 1998 in our claim against them? Martin did mention something about 6 years ...back dated.

Rex_Mundi

You can claim back 6 years from the date you start now (not 6 years before you left).

Best thing...................

Use the first template letter in Martins article (along with £10) and request all/any statements/charges over the last 6 years.

It's natural to feel shaky. DON'T WORRY. There are a lot of others here in the same position as you, and lots of us will help you if you feel stuck/nervous at any stage.

Go get your money back!!!

Clare11

Rex.
Just another point ..... when any extra loans they approved they always insisted we took out MORE life insurance policies and they were so "kind" as to send one of THEIR financial advisors to sort this out for us!. AND....there was one case where we took out a policy and they KEPT it as security along with the farm deeds. Was this legal?
I often wonder were any of their actions legal?

NEVER ever will we be tied to any Bank like this.!

Thankfully our present bank is a pleasure to do business with.

With age ......comes wisdom......

Kind regards
Clare

Rex_Mundi

Clare11 wrote:

Rex.
Just another point ..... when any extra loans they approved they always insisted we took out MORE life insurance policies and they were so "kind" as to send one of THEIR financial advisors to sort this out for us!. AND....there was one case where we took out a policy and they KEPT it as security along with the farm deeds. Was this legal?
I often wonder were any of their actions legal?

You've got me there.

I'm sure that one of the legal (or bank) people that post here may be able to help you out more on this matter. It's the handy thing about posting in a forum like this. Your question will always be there for people to see (and hopefully help with).

elliehenny777

Claire,
Sorry, I should have been more explicit, I claimed missold mortgage from Standard Life. It was thanks to Martin's weekly emails and his warning about claiming before the deadline, October 05. Until then I didn't even consider we'd be eligible.

I think Martin should be given an award of some kind for all his work and for shaking up a dishonest and corrupt system to it's very foundations.

I hope you hear from Northern soon. I'm waiting to hear how you got on. You appear to have been badly treated I hope you get all you claim.

I have no qualms about claiming, I shall enjoy the process I love a challenge!
We have all the help and support we need on the forums thanks to all of those wonderful people who give freely of their expert knowledge and experience.
Ellie

Clare11

Ellie.....
I sent the letter to the Northern Bank today...
I will enjoy going for the "jugular".....lol...
It will be interesting to see how much in penalty charges they took from us.
I will keep you informed.
As you rightly say.....the people in this forum are so very helpful and that is reassuring to know.
Thank you everyone.

Regards
Clare